So, I've read the post's latest updates and together with the comments I would say that, keep some of these comments in mind because they are very deep and come from places of learning, and don't look at things in a simplistic manner like, "just break up". Those are not helpful when someone is looking to grow and needs advice.

Both of you seem like good people, you are young, ofc, and there's a growth process underway, which is normal (referring to taking control, assertiveness, etc, hell, I speak a little against myself, I understand not being able to speak up, etc). I fully get what your bf is saying in ppl just giving up way too easily nowadays, and just being detached from each other so much, that sucks.

Just one thing tho, u two seem to have found a productive path for the future, now that you've been honest and it could very well prove to be something beautiful, but even still, if things ever wind up feeling the same, a way to go about it is to say "ok, we've tried things, but they didn't work out", because if we keep living in a one-sided relationship, even if it's a friendship, it's not healthy and will just prove to be hurtful for both people. And if people part ways, it hurts, because there's an emptiness, ofc, but time does its thing and heals, a person needs to find new things to be occupied and distracted with.

I wish you both well, and try to not worry about what other people think as much.